Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the spousal visa minimum income requirement in allowing sufficient participation in everyday life to facilitate integration.

The purpose of the minimum income requirement, implemented in July 2012 along with other reforms of the family Immigration Rules, is to ensure family migrants are supported at a reasonable level so they do not become a burden on the taxpayer.

The UK Government is committed to promoting social cohesion, good relations and a sense of belonging for all members of society. The ability to participate in activities and organisations outside the home plays a part in this. The minimum income requirement is not the only factor which promotes the ability to participate, but the level at which it is set can mean one particular barrier is reduced.

The Supreme Court has endorsed our approach in setting an income requirement for family migration which prevents burdens on the taxpayer and promotes integration into our communities. In particular, it strikes a balance between the interests of those wishing to sponsor a partner form overseas and the community in general by ensuring migration to the UK is not based on access to services funded by UK taxpayers.